It appears that the FAISAT-2v (24954, 97 052B) satellite may be in
trouble.
Ground controllers have had no success in commanding the satellite, and
the beacon hasn't been heard since launch + 12 hours or so.
It appeared from the initial telemetry that the satellite was inertially
stable and had de-spun. The gravity gradient boom had *not* been
deployed (can only be done on command).
The question now is whether anyone has seen it recently and how it
appears. If it is tumbling or spinning (i.e., flashing), one might
assume the satellite has lost power completely and has become unstable.
If you have any observations, please pass them along.
Thanks,
Eric
erosenberg@orbcomm.net